All3Media launching OTT nets with TV4

All3Media International and TV4 Entertainment are joining forces for an OTT initiative that will see the pair launch a range of online channels, TBI can reveal.

The agreement between All3Media’s international arm and US-based TV4 will see the pair work up online channels that will be distributed over the top, as well as through the Amazon Channels package and third-party platforms.

The partners plan to launch a range of targeted OTT channels in different genres, with the first service themed around homes and gardens. That is yet to be named, but will launch this spring.

As well as mining the All3Media catalogue for content, it is understood that TV4 will work up original content for the OTT channels, with All3Media International having a first-look deal that gives it an option to coproduce, co-finance and distribute.

All3Media International is the commercial and distribution arm of Discovery Communications- and Liberty Global-backed production group All3Media. TV4, meanwhile, is an LA-based OTT specialist that counts Hollywood studio Warner Bros. and UK pay TV platform Sky among its investors.

The channels coming out of the new partnership are expected to sit alongside the existing offerings in the TV4 stable, which includes martial arts service Blackbelt TV, docs channel DocCom TV, hunting and fishing net Gone TV and the petrolhead destination Motorland TV.

These channels are available over the top as well as via AppleTV, Roku and FireTV.

The line-up for the homes and gardens channel is still a work in progress, but All3Media International’s homes and gardens programming includes Love Your Garden, Monty Don’s Italian Gardens and Britain’s Best Back Gardens.

All3Media International confirmed the news this morning. “We are delighted to be working with Jon Cody and the team at TV4 Entertainment – the OTT opportunity has been part of our strategic plan for some years and TV4’s expertise is what makes them a great partner for us in this venture,” said Gary Woolf, executive VP, commercial development at All3Media International. “Together, we are excited at the opportunity to find passionate audiences looking for high quality programming that really super-serves their core interests”

Jon Cody, founder and CEO of TV4 Entertainment said: “This alliance represents the world’s premier original content creators and OTT distributors coming together to drive the future of television.